Near Banbridge town in the County Down
One morning last July,
From a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut brown hair.
Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself
To be sure I was really there.
Chorus:
From Bantry Bay up to Derry quay and
From Galway to Dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.
As she onward sped, sure I scratched me head,
And I looked with a feelin' rare,
And I say's, say's I, to a passer-by,
"whose the maid with the nut brown hair"?
He smiled at me and he said, said he,
"that's the gem of Ireland's crown.
It's Rose mc Cann from the banks of the Bann,
She's the star of the County Down".
Chorus:
From Bantry Bay up to Derry quay and
From Galway to Dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.
Well I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began;
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let, and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown,
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the Star of the County Down.
Chorus:
From Bantry Bay up to Derry quay and
From Galway to Dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.
At the harvest fair she'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes,
With my shoes shone bright and a hat cocked right
For a smile from my nut brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Till my plough turns a rust coloured brown.
Till a smiling bride, by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.
Chorus:
From Bantry Bay up to Derry quay and
From Galway to Dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.